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InFinitely yours, The Highway Star reviews InFinite
InFinitely yours, The Highway Star reviews the new album
Heavens wouldn’t we so high I know if the times gone by hadn’t been so low. Thus sang Ian Gillan in 1996, and just like Purpendicular was a landslide move in a new direction, InFinite is another thrilling threat to our ingrown ideas of what a Deep Purple album should and could ever be.
by Rasmus Heide
Challenging. Riveting. Surprising. Frustrating. Enlightening. Witty. Thrilling. InFinite is all those things.
At The Highway Star we’re proud to have been backing these guys for almost 25 years now. Indeed, this writer has just passed his 20th anniversary with the team, and it gives me great joy to confirm that InFinite is worth whatever wait or journey you’ve endured to get here.
Time for Bedlam, the first single, roared at us already late last year, and since then earMUSIC’s shrewd marketing department has been putting our patience to the test. The song sprang up and bit hard with its ominous spoken intro and victorious conclusion – and all that racket’n’roll in-between. The love and excitement was instantaneous from the very first listen, and the feeling hasn’t subsided since. Gillan sounds truly furious and it’s very becoming for our grand old naked thunder. Time for Bedlam was the perfect precursor as it has raised the excitement level and anticipation for Deep Purple’s second album with Bob Ezrin producing. Such a valiant right man for the job.
The soundscape of the album is focused firmly on what might in 2017 be termed well played music nurtured by skilful hands. It’s live and vibrant, focused and with a lot of feel and air to breathe. Again, it knocks the band’s two 2000’s albums – Bananas and Rapture of the Deep – into oblivion as it combines the live-to-tape feel with extraordinary rock sonics that are both crass and caressing.
Second single was All I Got Is You, a sneaky bastard that deceptively creeps up as a wannabe ballad. The Haunted of InFinite? Fortunately not. (Haunted was never a favourite here.) It’s a lot more robust and ballsy. The album’s second highlight. It’ll soon start playing itself inside your mind no matter where you are, and Gillan’s hardship with the old missus (just one interpretation of the lyrics) will nest itself in your sub conscience. Towards the end we’re again rewarded with Gillan’s wanton will, this time not to give a fucking damn. The ensuing scream might not make the history books, but oh, the sincerity. Lovely.
Hip Boots are pulled up high. You will already have heard the rehearsal take on the single, and the finished item sounds meatier with Gillan’s 1960’s reverbed vocals adding to the drive and energy. The song might not enter many lists of Purple favourites, but it’s interesting to hear the band belt out something not totally unlike a strangely metered purplefied Black Dog.
One Night in Vegas is barroom piano from Don Airey and escapade analogies from Mr. Gillan on the prowl. As on NOW What?!, Steve Morse has again been challenged by Ezrin to go beyond his usual playing style, but this song offers one of the few ’classic Morse’ guitar solos that are so unmistakably him.
Get Me Outta Here combines the inimitable Paicey shuffle with a slight reggae feel! Hear it to believe it. It works wonderfully alongside the bossy bass laden riff, and you again – as many other times on the album – find yourself simply admiring the prowess and proficiency of the band’s instrumentalists.
Now for the third highlight of InFinite. The Surprising. Deep Purple stretching your imagination:
It wasn’t quite the curse of Tut Ankamon.
Or the kiss of death from Judas in the night.
And it felt so far beyond the blue horizon.
Tempting me with transports of delight.
When the devil took my hand and said come along with me.
There I was, wide-awake from dreaming.
Reaching out for something in the sky.
But I could not control that trembling feeling.
Everything I want is slipping by.
Then the devil took my hand said something you should see, come with me.
All this over a swing feel not too far removed from The Shadows. Something you swore you’d never find on a Purple album. But it’s, erm, surprisingly pleasant. The song then veers sharply to the left into a gradually evolving and, well, surprising instrumental mid-section that builds and stretches and excites… before it dissolves into a sweeping and airy string and keyboards section full of dreamy sunshine and summer fields. When this ends, you find yourself wishing the song would carry on – and that it would reactivate the Shadows feel. And it does. Thankfully. And it’s bliss. And the words continue their imaginative partnership with the intensely inspired backing:
I never knew what happened to my nightmare.
Everything went dark that August day.
The eclipse was on the other side of somewhere.
But I was on the upside of afraid.
And then an angel took my hand and said come along with me.
There you have it. I defy you not to smile and marvel at this particular musical exploration.
Johnny’s Band is the harmless story of a rock band formed from friends, finding fame, falling into hardship and finally doing the pubs for fun. Roger Glover’s bass is unusually and lovingly dominant in the mix as he holds the 4/4 beat down to perfection with Ian Paice and pushes the band forward. Certainly a keeper if a little thin on vitamins.
On Top of the World retells a story first told in Ian Gillan’s autobiography, this time set to a gloriously groovy Purple backing track. It’s Ian on an unusually intense all night sexual endeavour atop a skyscraper in Southeast Asia while on tour with his own band sometime before the world lost its mind. The song sports a spoken segment to make you chuckle and smile. At first. Upon repeated listens it loses some of its novelty effect, and shamefully, once Ian’s narrative has ended, the interesting backing from the band is quickly faded out. A song destined to create debate.
The fourth highlight concludes the album, Birds of Prey. A menacing slow beat, soothing long guitar and keyboard notes and melodic double tracked vocals from Gillan – a glorious lilt that floats wonderfully above its musical backing. There’s tingling down the spine, a tingling sound in the ears, swooping bass and then that guitar solo we witnessed come to life in the documentary about the album (included with most editions, more below); Steve Morse egged on by producer Bob Ezrin to hold the notes for as long as he possibly can, and then hold them some more. It’s uplifting and ascends as Morse resists the temptation to widdle and instead sweats to shed feel and soul and yet more feel. An ambitious and inspired song, hard to grasp and define, yet hauntingly captivating. In the documentary, we also witness Gillan putting down the vocals for this one, singing his heart out over ’the death of time’.
Birds of Prey would have made a perfect closer for the album. But no. There are another one or two tracks to be had.
Roadhouse Blues is Deep Purple making the phonebook sound interesting.* As such it works. On Paicey’s suggestion, the band hacked out The Doors’ classic in a quart of an hour, and we’re rewarded with an impressively raw and laidback Paicey shuffle and a groove so feisty you can’t not be affected. Gillan’s harmonica makes an appearance among the great solos.
But I remain undecided on the concept of Deep Purple doing covers. It’ll Be Me sounded out of place on NOW What?!, an otherwise very fine album. Roadhouse Blues, it could be argued, completes the circle back to 1970, but it’s both a year off and a far-fetched argument. Roger Glover had suggested a Bob Dylan song, which might have offered just a smidgen of originality.
Depending on which web shop you believe**, Paradise Bar is the final track on the box set editions. It was also on the Bedlam single so you might already be familiar with its catchy chorus, Don Airey’s Emerson-ish synths and the brilliant Hammond solo. Another one from the meaty middle of InFinite.
In summary, InFinite carries (at least) four defining highlights that push the envelope of Purple as they set sail for new and uncharted waters. It veers from sheer brilliance and sweaty excitement over masterful performances and into one or two potatoes among the fine meats. As it should.
Do yourself a favour and also don’t miss From Here To Infinite, the 90 minute documentary that comes with several editions the album. So much more than your average ‘making of’ film, this is very very musical and sharply focused on the things that make up Deep Purple; not the bullshit, but the honest excited and exciting creation of new music by splendid virtuosos and astute personalities. You laugh, you get goose bumps, and you shed a tear from being so close to such high class and from seeing their creative process portrayed so wonderfully. It’s an absolute joy and the sort of film you wish they’d made for every album since Day One.
Which leaves you to ponder the irony of Deep Purple only joining forces with earMUSIC and Bob Ezrin so late in their career. It’s a very powerful and creative partnership; a producer with the zest and determination necessary to goad the band in one collective direction, and a label with the ingenious and effective marketing muscle necessary to crown the creative process with the commercial success required to make everything worthwhile.
And worthwhile it certainly is. Whether it is the end remains to be discovered. For now, Deep Purple has a very living and breathing album out. My fingers, arms and legs are crossed that the new songs are also given a chance to breathe onstage.
.
*An old adage says a great singer should be able to sing the phonebook and still make it sound interesting.
**UPDATE: Correction: earMUSIC confirms that Paradise Bar is not in the running order on any version of the album anywhere. In Japan however, it is part of the box set as a b-side to the Time for Bedlam single, that was released elsewhere as well. The official Infinite webshop has confirmed the mistake on their website.
[Lyrics deciphered by ear. Errors may abound.]
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Wondering which of my download, cd or Big Box set will arrive first…😎
April 5th, 2017 at 08:34If You’re in Europe, Your download should start Friday morning 00.00 (Thursday at midnight)
April 5th, 2017 at 10:13It’s the Ian Gillan Band now.Not Purple anymore..no Ritchie or Jon.
April 5th, 2017 at 10:37😂😂😂😂😂
April 5th, 2017 at 10:41Have you noticed that DP made their best album without Blackmore?
Keep Tokin’.. That isn’t Purple by a long shot
April 5th, 2017 at 10:44What album is that then?
April 5th, 2017 at 10:44The Ego Gillan band now
April 5th, 2017 at 10:44Excellent review Rasmus, really looking forward to see what they bring to the stage in May, I’ll be at the Polish gigs.
April 5th, 2017 at 10:48Love Purple, my all time favourite band since I know me….but saddly, had to say that InFinite is a lot of steps below Now What?!….
April 5th, 2017 at 11:26Franky Ledoux …better than Now What?!, than Purpendicular?…dont think so…….
April 5th, 2017 at 11:28Is anyone reminded by the photo of Deep Purple in Rock cover?
April 5th, 2017 at 11:30A shop in Sydney has it on the shelf already! Naughty
April 5th, 2017 at 11:35Yeah yeah yeah yeah, bla bla bla bla😂😂😂😉
April 5th, 2017 at 11:37Franky Ledoux What album is that then?
April 5th, 2017 at 11:51Many thanks, Mark. 🙂
April 5th, 2017 at 12:07Does the shop have a name? Do you have a photo of the album there? Please share. 🙂
April 5th, 2017 at 12:08Infinite will eventually become known as a classic. So there. If you don’t like it, then that’s your problem.
April 5th, 2017 at 12:42Can’t wait till Friday. Every indication from reviews and the songs i have heard is that the band has built on the solid foundation laid with Now What? and are pushing forward with an even more vibrant recording.
April 5th, 2017 at 12:52Someone or something dare to say Purple made the best album without Ritchie?!!!!!Gonna burn all my collection.
April 5th, 2017 at 13:42This is the second review I read. And I’m waiting for this album. Not thinking foolishes like I want another Machine Head, I want Ritchie released from his fairies’ world and Jon’s resurrection. I only want what they can fair deliver to us, no more, no comparisons nor any other crap. Thanks Rasmus and crew 🙂
April 5th, 2017 at 14:11Sorry guys with all due respect you should be all mature enough to listen to the album with open ears and a neutral heart. Whether it’s Ian bands now or wether Ritchie is there or not that’s all history.
April 5th, 2017 at 14:44I won’t be influenced by the reviews I will male up my mind after repeated carful listening.
BTW Perpenduclar is a classic so there is no pressure on the guys to prove anything.
Box set ordered…cant wait
April 5th, 2017 at 15:05@ Rasmus Heide:
Thanks a lot for that heartfelt, well-expressed review!
If anything I’m sure it’s an honest piece of art from a band that has lost some strengths over the years while gaining others. The wonderful thing with Purple always was that every album so far has had something new and different to offer and it’ll be the same with this one. Therefore I can’t negate that it’s not the band anymore I fell in love with but actually to some degree I’m glad that they don’t live in the past and have moved on. Would it be electrifying to listen to a band which desperately tries to mimic their younger selfs?!
April 5th, 2017 at 15:06You’re welcome, Tommy.
April 5th, 2017 at 15:11And like I pointed out, I am also this time eagerly expecting the band to present as much of their new material onstage as they possibly can.
/Rasmus
It is the Deep Purple TRIBUTE Band now.
April 5th, 2017 at 15:36i don’t wait for an other Machine Head or something like that . time has changed , music and people in the band too ! but the spirit is still the same ! honest and new music everytime , that’s all i want and that’s all i expect from the band ! i love these guys ! they give me the pleasure to have good music for years and that’s it !!!
April 5th, 2017 at 16:14Thanks Rasmus….I’ve always enjoyed your reviews.
I’ve never come across a Deep Purple album I didn’t enjoy….I’m betting this one will be no different.
April 5th, 2017 at 16:38I ordered it, should arrive soon. 🙂 No comments before listening the album at least a few times over.
April 5th, 2017 at 17:10Wonderfully written review, Ras – it’s making me anticipate the album even more! 🙂
April 5th, 2017 at 17:28@ 3
you are one of those people stuck in the past?! just go back and listen to that,last time i checked Ritchie is still playing his same old same old Lullaby and Jon Lord is dead may rest in peace.This is a great rock band and it is time you get your head off your ass and enjoy,otherwise go listen to the crap that is around!stop with your Bitchin’ Moaning and your “critique” it is getting ridiculous!
April 5th, 2017 at 17:29@ 9 you didn’t even hear the album yet and you are putting the hammer down and the thumbs down!! talking about narrow minded people,the two songs out there are great songs and if you dont like em,then there is problem with your ears!
April 5th, 2017 at 17:33Thanks al. 🙂
April 5th, 2017 at 18:22The two and a half songs out there, not two, don’t forget Hip boots!
I absolutely agree with you al. I love all the albums but it was a perfect turning point when they parted with Ritchie and Steve jumped in. No way we would have had six superb albums like the six with SM (InFinite will be, too) and they wouldn’t be around anymore, for sure.
Friday 7th will be a day of cellebration boys and girls!! :):)
April 5th, 2017 at 19:24Thanks Rasmus for your excellent review. About the live shows, I fear we won’t get more than three songs (as happened before). But it would be great if they go out with a great 30 minute Roadhouse Blues jam!
April 5th, 2017 at 20:30It’s a sell-abration, but that’s a good thing!. Just wondering how long it will be before people like those youtubers Purplesnake, or Intothefire, or others will have the whole album uploaded to the internet for anyone to download for free?.
April 5th, 2017 at 22:06I’ll happily pay the cash for my Infinite album, but if it’s on youtube, then maybe I’ll also copy it to my phone. I swear I’m not a bad man, but I’d never look a gift horse in the mouth….. Let he who is without sin cast the first overloaded plate of spaghetti!. Be happy.
@33 Johnny
there is a “sample”,of The Surprising and,I am blown away,great lyrics and when the Hammond Organ explodes. its is all over 70’s just love it! and for the last 3 weeks i been counting the days…..Cannot wait,I hope this band has a couple of more studio albums,barring any health issues or else ……I am sick of people,constantly wanting to compare periods,yes yes we got it people,Ritchie Blackmore was the driving force,but he moved on and got sick of rock n roll world,they should have stopped playing an singing cause some people think This is not Deep Purple?!!enough for Pete’s Sake,and belittling Gillan for not being able to sing anymore,Gillan is more of singer the last 15-20 years than it ever was before,defining his style and altering and adjusting to the age and strength,not the screamer he once was but a damn Good singer all the same,influenced a whole genre for decades.
April 5th, 2017 at 22:15Great review, Rasmus, and let us all take a moment to Thank You for all you have done all these years to cover this band we live for. Really important to us all. Cheers!
April 6th, 2017 at 03:51Rasmus, thank you for the insightful review of the new album! Makes me all the more to want to run to my favorite shop to catch the box with discs and t-shirt just NOW.
I might not be the fan of the current Purple politics on how they play their live shows – repeatable routine of playing ‘safe by numbers’ for years which made them ‘just another reliable but not too exciting’ live band (saw them after last exciting period 1998-2000 quite a few times, don’t worry) – but in studio they still excel.
On every new studio album, there’s usually quite a bunch of things to get excited with and I trust it will be the same with “Infinite”. Last two LP’s were a big joy. Many great tracks on “Rapture” and “Now What!?” to which I regularly return. I trust it will be the same this time.
And, actually, this time might be THE LAST TIME for a new studio album. So I know not about how you are going to celebrate this occasion, but I will have me a flask of wine and a good snack and tomorrow evening my speakers will have a blast! And so will I. 🙂
April 6th, 2017 at 06:12Good and full review. Can’t comment on it’s accuracy as the album is not out until tomorrow. Which is an interesting point as some here are saying how wrong the review is… How’s that work then?
April 6th, 2017 at 10:16What’s all this ‘Ian Gillan Band/Tribute Band’ crap? The rest of the band co-write the music, Paice and Glover have been the main promoters of the album, don’t get it at all. Gillan is the singer, so will always get more attention, that’s what happens.
As for the Blackmore thing… For God’s sake, get over it! Morse has been in Purple longer than Ritchie now and the band has moved forward. Don’t get me wrong, I think Ritchie is a God! But!!!!
The good thing about the band is they have tried different things. ‘Now What’ was fresh and inventive, the tracks available from the new album sound like a further progression… Good! I’d rather that than churning out the same thing reformatted over and over again (I.e. Sabbath’s boring 13).
The word is that the album will go straight in many countries top 10s on release… Pretty damn good for a bunch of 70 year olds!
Can’t wait for my big box to hit the door mat!
The people who say this is Gillan’s band might want to watch the documentary on the recording sessions to see for themselves how this band really works.
April 6th, 2017 at 10:23Ian Low Purpendicular.
April 6th, 2017 at 11:15@39 Kev, nice words mate, I couldn’t agree with you more in regards to your Purple comments….. however, I really liked the Sabs ’13’. I thought it was a well put together album that brought me hours of enjoyment. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
April 6th, 2017 at 11:48Speaking of which…. for many decades now, I’d always hoped that at some point I’d hear the Purps render their own version of the Dr. Who theme (which I quite like!) while jamming on stage… silly I know, & yet…. I just think it would suit their style. Aaaahh fuk it. Be happy!.
Great review Rasmus, I can’t wait for my official box set along with a couple tee shirts to arrive from the Northern hemisphere Deep Purple infinite store. For what I already have or heard this is what progressive rock is about and just brilliant and leaves you wanting more. I have read there is some bonus tracks being released later in the year, I do hope there is another album before the end of time :).
As for those who can not moved on with the different shades of Purple then I think you are afraid to move on and except who they really are, their music must have touched a nerve in your spine and just incase you forgot they are DEEP PURPLE.
April 6th, 2017 at 11:51Great review, many thanks Rasmus.
Some of the comments are embarrassing however. To those pining for Ritchie and Jon, would you rather that Purple ceased when Ritchie left the band? Would you rather there was no new album? If so, then that’s pretty easily self enforced – it’s not compulsory to listen to the new material – so leave the rest of us to enjoy the ‘living, breathing’ Deep Purple and the fact that we are blessed enough that they are creating new music in their 70’s!
April 6th, 2017 at 12:44Mr Ledoux seem like yet another troll,how sad.
April 6th, 2017 at 12:46An intiguing review Rasmus – hoping my CD/DVD will arrive in the post tomorrow 🙂
April 6th, 2017 at 15:30Franky Ledoux Purpendicular may be the best Morse era album (mostly because the majority are pretty poor), but it is definitely not even close to being their best.
April 6th, 2017 at 15:32001
April 6th, 2017 at 16:12@ 47 Purpendicular is a true Purple classic, easily in top 5 all time.
April 6th, 2017 at 16:59Rasmus, nice review.
April 6th, 2017 at 17:00Thank you for your effort.
I am thankful these guys are still making music and performingPERIOD
I just ordered the album (including the 90 minute DVD), and I hope it arrives before my trip to FL next week so I can listen to it at my leisure.
Hello Beautiful Deep Purple Brothers and Sisters! I was just thinking how lucky and fortunate I feel to have experienced, and still experiencing, Beautiful Deep Purple in this lifetime! They are truly breathtaking! And by the way, Tommy H., I love listening to you, Your words are poetic and magical! I love you! xx
April 7th, 2017 at 05:28And kudos to Mr. Rasmus Heide for a wonderful review! You are truly a brilliant writer!
April 7th, 2017 at 05:34I have to agree that Birds of Prey most defintely has that “closing track” feel as it soars off into the distance. It’s one that would leave such a lasting impression well after the record player arm returned to its post. Not sure why they chose to sequence Paraside Bar as the closer instead — it reminds me a bit of a Beach Boys track, and the record just tapers off listlessly instead. On the bright side, perhaps that’s a sign that in fact we haven’t reached the end of Deep Purple’s recorded studio output and there’s another record out there in the future once the rigours of the road are finally left behind?? Given the track record of the recent studio releases since Don joined, DP is hitting their stride in creating interesting material; it seems a shame to stop now.
April 7th, 2017 at 11:43Good review
Some really good tracks on this album
Blackmore fans will never get past the fact that this Deep Purple is relevant and successful, After seeing Blackmores Rainbow attempt last year I am so glad Steve Morse has given his sound and energy to DP. Blackmore is a spent force
Long live Deep Purple
April 7th, 2017 at 13:30@ 50 what’s up Albania! same here! Hail to the Deep Purple!
April 7th, 2017 at 19:17Excellent review, thanks. God job on calling the highlights, too many reviews just gloss over things and draw quick conclusions either way, they don’t dig in.
Hadn’t thought of it but good point on the promotion by earMUSIC. Some of us probably remember that when the excellent Purpendicular came out practically no one was paying attention, but of course the band pretty much had to rebuild a following after a pretty terrible start to the 90s…I must say I was rather disappointed by Abandon that didn’t build on the strengths of Purpendicular for some reason, nothing memorable on it, like The Battle Rages on. Anyway what matters is NOW and that album is a joy to listen to for the most part 😉
April 7th, 2017 at 22:02Listening online for the first time as I am writing, buying the CD tomorrow.
I am not in the “No Lord, No Blackmore-No Deep Purple” camp.
To the contrary-these folks are creative geniuses, a true light of our time, considering the garbage that is out there.
All I Got Is You and The Surprising have already gotten under my skin, amazing tunes…
Lucky to be alive while these fellas are still writing and performing, lucky to have seen them live 3 times…
Will let the album sink in before comparing to prior Morse-era albums, and earlier stuff…
April 8th, 2017 at 00:16I really like ‘All I Have is You’ and ”The Surprising’.
The rest of it bored me. Sorry guys. Listen to Infinite then reach back in the archives and listen to Come Taste the Band. The inventiveness is strikingly different.
Paicey is a God to me and the intro to ‘All I Got is You’ is just breathtaking, but I kept searching (hoping) for that magic in the other songs and never found it.
April 8th, 2017 at 03:52I’ve run through the CD for the past 4 hours. Rasmus, your review is really spot on. A couple of additional thoughts.
This might be a quibble, but I wish Ezrin had left off the little keyboard intro to Johnny’s Band…and just kicked it off with the guitar riff. This is a nice little digestible piece of rock music and they should have kept it as simple as possible. Even still, this could get a little airplay.
On Top of the World is a slightly more clever and musically more complex Bodyline (which is the only daft moment on NW?) The fade out at the end is a lost opportunity.
Roadhouse Blues is fun. And that could be the last time we hear Big Ian play harmonica on a studio track…so I am embracing it.
All the reviews (including yours) have noted the Surprising and Birds of Prey as real stunners and you weren’t kidding. These are tremendous tracks that bear repeated listening. Birds of Prey is what Before Time Began on ROTD could have been in the hands of a competent producer.
All in all… Time for Bedlam, All I Got Is You, Hip Boots, The Surprising and Birds of Prey are songs that I will be listening to 10 years from now (as long as I am upright)
The rest are good songs with Paradise Bar and On Top of the World the most forgettable.
April 8th, 2017 at 04:57@58 all i have is you??!
what song is that? it looks like you have jumped the gun a little bit too early matey!!
one night in las vegas is in the ssme vein as Almost Human from the Abandon.just love the rhythm section,bass and Ian Paice drumming is one of the best he had played in a long time,very inspiring and just a driving force.Every song is awesome and i love this guys are still around. really hope for a another studio effort with Ezrin of course to complete teh trintity of the albums.
April 9th, 2017 at 01:52Thanks for your comprehensive review, Rasmus.
OK.
I’m still awaiting my copy in the mail,so I’ve only heard Infinite thru laptop speakers.
That aside,and in random order,a few thoughts on the songs that caught my ear….
The Surprising has nods to Clearly Quite Absurd ( baritone guitar ) ROTD,Vincent Price,B4 Time Began. Lovely lyrics,head and shoulders above most of the ” wandering road warrior” stories found elsewhere.
Johnny’s Band is fun.I can picture ” Two-Tone Eddie” in the group.The happiest tune on the record.
All I Got Is You is happy,too,in it’s own way LOL !!
Top of the World…..autobiograhical Gillan …….the blood was up,pounding in my head” Yeah,yeah…….predictable double entendre.
The spoken passage is complete filler,then quick solos that fade out before they get going.Unfinished and frustrating.
Birds of Prey,is,as Chip @#59 said, B4 Time Began,continued……but tons better than B4 Time Began.The vocal melody recalls the bridge of Castle Full of Rascals.What kind of wild,out there guitar solo is THAT ?? Good on
ya,Steve.A monster of a song !
One Night In Vegas: the same,Almost Human,Jack Ruby,Bodyline,Apres Vous rubbery feel & slinky riff that DP has put on every album since Abandon .
Roadhouse Blues ?? Unnecessary…..and it drags on for 6 minutes !
Thankfully,there is Time For Bedlam.We got the best song on the record for Christmas,folks.
The playing on the album is excellent of course.Paicey,swings,grooves,and rocks.Don is all over this record.His Hammond is the touchstone to the “vintage” Deep Purple sound. That said,his “bar room,honky tonk piano
has grown tired for me.
To sum up,Infinite will prob’ly grow on me once I can hear it on my stereo.Admittedly,my expectations got away from me on this one.
@ 53- Great to see you here,Wolf !!
April 9th, 2017 at 14:56Spot on Rasmus – Great album – and Gillan is realy good on this record. Just singing the way his does thiese days, not trying high nodes etc I like his screming in “All I Got Is You” 🙂
Frank
April 10th, 2017 at 10:23My huge big box version arrived on Saturday! Due to other commitments, only just got round to a first play of it, along with the the two singles which I had purposely put to one side to open and play at the same time. They now live in the box!
Firstly, the big box is quite something, very well presented and a very well thought out bit of marketing. The only complaint being the sticker, a bit nothing really! Anyone know if it’s double sided so suitable for a car inside window?
So, the album…
Stunning! Perhaps I should stop there! To day what I heard was not what I was expecting does not sum it up at all. Now What?! Was, for me, a brilliant album, a sort of comeback and much needed revival after the dreadful Rapture of the Deep album (probably the bands worst). Infinite has been banded around as the natural follow up to NW?! by the record company, in my opinion it stands alone. The sound is totally different and it’s a much more complete and rounded album. The band sounds very together and Gillan is on top form and really going for it!
Without doing every track, standouts for me are the lead track ‘Time for Bedlam’, which has quite tge throwback to old purple sound in it whilst also being very current sounding. As most have daid, ‘The Surprising’ is just that, very different lyrics and a perfectly delivered track, a classic without a doubt. THE track of the album though is undoubtedly ‘Birds of Prey’, in fact I’m going as far as saying this is simply the best track that Morse era Purple have ever recorded. Tears rolled down my face by the end of it, one of the best tracks I’ve heard, ever – thanks Deep Purple. The most commercial track on the album is ‘Johnny’s Band’, marvelous hook and chorus that I can’t get out my head (good!), one has to wonder why they chose not to use this as the single to promote it all?
Is there anything wrong? Well, possibly. As has been daid here there and everywhere…. Why is Birds of Prey not the last track?! Last one on my version is Roadhouse Blues. Never been a song I’ve been for or against. Obviously the Purps like it, it’s an OK version, would have been better a couple of tracks before the end, or better still as an extra on one of the singles, but where it is takes away the feeling from the fade of Birds of Prey.
But hey, Roadhouse is a minor gripe on what is, as said, a stunningly good album, all the more for not actually being expected to be here.
Playrd the two singles (EPs?) Through whilst writing this. Can’t help thinking that we’ve been robbed of a good complete version of Now What?! Instrumentals, and that version of Highway Star… Well, we’ve had a few but it is a good one!
Right, that’s me done here, back to Birds of Prey.
April 10th, 2017 at 10:57@63 Kev, nice review mate!. You didn’t nit pick over every little detail…. You’ve gotten into the spirit of the thing. Classical music it ain’t, it’s just a little classic rock ‘n’ roll to brighten up our lives. & it’s good!. Be happy.
April 10th, 2017 at 15:42@64 Cheers and Thanks Richwood!
I thought Now What?! Was a stunner when it arrived, but I never felt it was wuite there wuth original classics such as Machine Head or Burn (Burn is probably my favourite album of all time, so tough ask!). However, at the moment my feelings about Infinite are eding it quite close to the big boys of old.
What has really got me with thus album is the promotion behind it. Ear Music have done a fantastic job. Did anyone honestly expect the likes of UK Radio 2 to play tracks from it? And not just the odd one on some late show, everyday last week in the morning and afternoon… and they are still at it today. There’s not many rock groups getting that sort of airplay, let alone rock groups full of 70 year olds. This IS a special album, so let’s all enjoy the moment.
April 12th, 2017 at 18:13@65 Kev, Machine Head & Burn etc were from the time when that sort of music was the fashion of the day. Slade, Led Zep, Status Quo, Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Stray & so on. Similar things were going on across the oceans. The 80’s updated, & pushed the guitar rock to the max for the then next generation.
April 14th, 2017 at 07:49So much has happened since then in so many ways, nothing is as it was. Rap, electronica, whatever, Justin fucking Beiber…. etc. Occasionally an old band or artist releases something that captures the public’s imagination & popularity ensues.
Deep Purple are still making much the same sort of music as they did in yesteryear, but with a more ‘American’ sound. They are well seasoned professionals, & I reckon every new album they’ve done with Steve would likely have been a huge success if released back in the heyday of classic hard rock… the 1970s, or early 1980’s.
I’m pleased to see the Purps on top again, or at least striving for greater recognition & acceptance. But it’s not just the album, or the band, but the genre, 70’s classic rock. It’s my generation continuing to yell out to the world, I’M STILL HERE, SO SUCK IT UP!.
Anyway, I’ve waffled on far to much, so that’s it for now. Be happy & smiles to ya.
My CD/DVD set arrived yesterday. I haven’t changed my mind on anything I wrote @ 61.inFinite is growing on me with every listen.
April 18th, 2017 at 13:01I will add that Paradise Bar would’ve fit nicely after Johnny’s Band and Birds Of Prey should’ve ended the album.
The DVD is a true “Making of” documentary.It gives great insight into Purple’s recording process.Egos are left at the studio door.
You see how much influence Bob Ezrin wields & why he gets a writing credit on the songs.
He is “….the captain of the ship….”
So…. after much consternation and difficulty finding the album in a store here in Canada (HMV just shut down, Sunrise records and all the independent stores here in Toronto are backed up by several weeks and when I tried to pre-order the album from Canadian Amazon, they told me it wouldn’t be getting here till the first week of May), I finally managed to get a copy at a Walmart (what has this world come to???).
Upon first listen, I love it, and it’s right up there with Purpendicular and Now What?! for the Morse Era records….this is a slower, heavier album, kind of like Abandon was, but way better (speaking of which, when the drums for Get Me Outta here kick in, I was half expecting Jack Ruby to start playing)- Abandon I think suffers from having too many mid tempo songs which cause it to drag.I seriously hope this is not their last record and that they have one more in them. Ian’s matured voice is growing on me- he’s a baritone now and I love it, he’s in full command of his lowered range (but he still manages to give us one good old scream!), and the band is fantastic. I feel if Now What?! was more Don’s moment to shine, this one is Steve’s! But I’ll also say this- I feel the interplay between the guitar and Hammond is equally matched and Steve and Don are really playing off each other here, it is probably the closest I’ve felt this incarnation of the band get to the magic Ritichie and Jon had between them! Two songs stand out for me- Birds of Prey man is that HEAVY!!!! Love the solo at the end!!!! The Surprising is really not like anything Purple has done before- it really is surprising, and reminds me of something of a cross between Mk 1 and a more proggy Purple!
Now I have two major criticisms- 1) Mr. Ezrin is a world class producer, but what the hell is up with the fade out at the end of On Top Of The World just when the solos start ripping? It totally ruins the song! And for the record, I love Ian’s monologue, the song should have ended there if anywhere! Bob should know better!!
2) Ending with Roadhouse Blues is underwhelming and a mistake- Birds of Prey should have been and is really the album closer. Other than that, and maybe Hip Boots and On Top of the World sounding a bit similar (both are excellent tunes regardless), I find no fault with the album, it really is kick ass!! Please make one more guys, and don’t end it with a cover!!!! End it with something colossal next time!!!! Job well done!!!!!!
Favourite Tracks- Time For Bedlam, Hip Boots, All I Got Is You, The Surprising, Birds of Prey (so HEAVY!!!)
Rating- 9/10
April 21st, 2017 at 04:30